Rep. Peters Criticizes ‘Early Dismissal’; Demands Vote to Combat Veterans’ Homelessness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Scott Peters (CA-52) continued his effort to convince Speaker John Boehner that the House of Representatives should not adjourn at the end of this week, as has been widely reported. Today, Rep. Peters called for a vote on two bills to reduce the number of homeless veterans: H.R. 386, the “Homes For Heroes Act,” and H.R. 1714, the “Shelter Our Servicemembers Act.”

“Despite progress in reducing the number of homeless veterans on our streets, there is still work to be done and we should not rest until every veteran is being served with the honor and respect they deserve,” Rep. Peters said. “Far too many veterans are falling through the cracks and don’t know where to turn for help, which is why programs like the recently launched Military Transition Support Project, which provides a central portal of key information to veterans, are so important.

“Instead of sending Congress home for 7 weeks of campaigning, Speaker Boehner should allow a vote on these bills to ensure that every veteran is getting the support we promised them.”

Rep. Peters is a cosponsor of the “Homes for Heroes Act,” which would ensure veteran access to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing and homelessness programs. He introduced the “Shelter our Servicemembers Act” last year to reduce the number of elderly homeless veterans through a pilot program to provide nontransitional housing and wraparound services to qualifying individuals. He also continues, along with others in the San Diego congressional delegation, to push HUD to change the funding formula for cities to combat homelessness; according to 2012 HUD data, San Diego is 3rd in homeless population but 18th in funding received.

Background on the Fight Against ‘Early Dismissal’

As part of his fight against Speaker Boehner’s move to dismiss Congress early for a 7-week campaign break, Rep. Peters is highlighting legislative priorities that are awaiting action in Congress and should be addressed before the House adjourns at the end of this week until mid-November. Over the last week, Congressman Peters focused on several pending pieces of legislation:

• The need to pass the “Paycheck Fairness Act” to ensure women receive equal pay for equal work
• The need to pass the “Federal Student Loan Refinancing Act” to make college more affordable and reduce the burden of lower student loan debt
• The need to pass the “Protect Women's Health from Corporate Interference Act of 2014” to protect women’s access to birth control and their ability to make their own health care decisions
• The need to pass the bipartisan “Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act” to ensure that seniors and their families are able to be reimbursed by Medicare for skilled nursing services
• The need to pass bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform that would expand the economy, secure the border, and reduce the national deficit
• The need to pass the “Pregnant Workers Fairness Act” to ensure that expecting mothers are not forced out of their jobs or denied reasonable accommodations

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